Fighting Fear: #whatshappeninginmyanmar
8 May - 5 June
16albermarle Project Space, Sydney
Fighting Fear is an exhibition presenting a unique cross-section of the social activism prompted by the coup—an outpouring of passionate anger and disappointment, and a hardening resolve not to be cowed. It is staged in association with Myanm/art, a contemporary art space in Yangon, and has been curated by Myanm/art’s founding director Nathalie Johnston. Some of the artists show at Myanm/art (Bart Was Not Here, Soe Yu Nwe, Richie Htet) while others are part of the broader scene in which Myanm/art operates (Emily Phyo, Kyaw Htoo Bala, Thee Oo). Some are well known in their own right (Sawangwongse Yawnghwe, Hkun Lat), others work as street artists (Baka), graphic designers (Ku Kue), rappers or animators (882021), and have felt compelled to respond to events.
The majority of the artworks did not begin life as artworks. They were responses to be carried in marches or posted on social media, and have been contributed by the artists to this exhibition to spread the word about what’s happening in Myanmar. They were assembled digitally by Nathalie in Yangon and downloaded in Sydney for commercial printing.
At the request of the artists, 16albermarle have editioned the individual works and they will be for sale at the exhibition or from on their website. With widespread unrest and no tourism, Myanmar’s art scene has closed down and artists are struggling to put food on the table. After the cost of file preparation and printing is deducted, proceeds will go to the artists. Fighting Fear will be opened at 3pm Saturday 8 May and will run until Saturday 5 June.
Read the full article here.
